Charm Madness Blog Hop: Patchwork Placemat Tutorial

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Charm Madness Blog Hop hosted by the lovely ladies of Sew Lux Fabrics!  Today I have an easy peasy placemat tutorial that you can quickly transform a few charms into.  Today's project will use a total of 15 charms, which can be from a charm pack, or like I did, fabrics that are simply cut into 5 inch squares.  I'm using up a couple charms I've received as part of a few charm swaps in the past.  Without further ado, lets get stitching!

For today's tutorial here's what you'll need:
(15) assorted 5" charm squares (4) 4.5" x 12.5" background fabric (I used linen) (2) 14.5" x 20.5" (for placemat backing) (4) 2.5" x 42" (WOF) (for binding) (2) 14.5" x 20.5" batting

Instructions:
use 1/4" seam allowance, unless otherwise noted
1.  Take each of your (15) charm squares and cut each into (4) 2.5" squares.  You will have (60) 2.5" squares.

2.  Of the (60) 2.5" squares, choose (30) per placemat.  Arrange one set of (30) 2.5" squares into a grid of 6 rows and 5 columns.  This will make the center patchwork portion of our placemat.

3.  Sew together each row of 2.5" squares.  Press rows 1, 3, 5 seam to the right.  Press rows 2, 4, 6 seam to the left.  This will allow the seams to nest nicely when sewing the rows together.

4.  Sew all 6 rows together, nesting the seams together for a nice crisp seam intersection.  Press row seams open to reduce bulk.

5.  Next, take (2) of your 4.5" x 12.5" background fabrics and sew along the 12.5" edges to the center patchwork portion.  Press seams toward the background fabric.

6.  Repeat steps 1-6 with your remaining materials to make the second placemat.
7.  Baste, quilt and bind as desired.  You will need (2) 2.5" x WOF binding strips for each placemat.

Be sure to check in here for details about the Linky party, giveaways and prizes!  Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the blog hop for lots of charm inspiration!

Tuesday 3/19 - Jennie at Clover & Violet

Wednesday, 3/20 - Jess at Sew Crafty Jess

Thursday, 3/21 - Rhonda at Quilter in the Gap

Friday, 3/22 - Jenelle at Echinops &Aster

Sunday, 3/24 - Week 1 Giveaway Post

Tuesday, 3/26 - Lori at Lori H Designs

Wednesday, 3/27 - Kelsey at Kelsey Sews

Thursday, 3/28 - Lindsay at CraftBuds/LindsaySews

Friday - 3/29 - Jennifer at That Girl, ThatQuilt

Saturday, 3/30 - Stacey at The Tilted Quilt

Sunday, 3/31 - Week 2 Giveaway Post

Monday, 4/1 - Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts 

Tuesday, 4/2 - Wendi at prsd4tim2

Wednesday, 4/3 - Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy

Thursday, 4/4 - Ginny at Fish Creek Studio

Saturday, 4/6 - Leona at Leona's Quilting Adventure
Sunday, 4/7 - Week 3 Giveaway Post

Three Ways to Win Prizes

• Enter the three weekly giveaway drawings on Sundays during the blog hop over at the Sew Lux blog.
• Link up your own charm project -  Linky post will be open for entries between 3/23 – 4/6.
• Enter the Grand Prize Winner Giveaway by counting the total number of charms used in all the blog hop tutorials.  Complete the entry form on 4/7 or 4/8.

All entry posts for prizes will be on the Sew Lux blog.